Your readers cannot fail to have been distressed by the terrible images from Mozambique following the cyclonic storms that have ravaged the region. It is shocking to hear that some 300,000 people have been affected by flooding - of which 60,000 are young children. Thousands of families have lost their homes and possessions and are without access to shelter, food and safe drinking water. The threat of malaria, cholera and diarrhoeal disease, and the risk of malnutrition, increases daily.

UNICEF - the United Nations Children's Fund - has already started a vital programme of care and support for mothers and children affected by the disaster. Hundreds of tonnes of medical supplies have been provided by UNICEF, as well as high energy food and hygiene supplies. Water and sanitation equipment, including chlorine tablets, jerrycans and plastic sheeting are also on their way.

Before the current natural disaster, Mozambique was on its way to recovery after years of civil war. Organisations like UNICEF were playing an essential role in giving children - the most innocent and vulnerable members of the community - a real chance for a good start in life. It would be a tragedy if all this work were to be affected by the emergency.

Just £35 could pay for enough Oral Rehydration Salts to treat 200 children suffering from diarrhoea while £55 could buy enough drugs to treat 500 children suffering from malaria. I would ask all your readers to respond generously to UNICEF's appeal to help the children of Mozambique at their time of need.

MRS CHRIS WYNN

Regional Officer

South West

UNICEF